October 27, 2023

California lawmakers have really outdone themselves with another entry in the wacky law hall of fame. You see, it’s not their first rodeo in passing some head-scratching legislation, but this one takes the cake for unintended consequences. The new California law that’s all about decriminalizing loitering has inadvertently turned into a pop-up open-air market for prostitution that you won’t find in the tourism brochures. And guess what? It’s the very folks they claim to be protecting, the Black community, who might feel the brunt of it. Black men, Black women, housing values, they’re all in the mix, and it’s hard not to think, “Is it time for some fresh faces in the legislature?”

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Impact on Black Men’s Perceptions of Relationships

Frequent engagement with sex workers can profoundly influence Black men’s perceptions of relationships, extending well beyond their romantic interactions. To illustrate this point, let’s consider the case of Jamal, a long-time friend (not his real name, for privacy reasons) who openly shared his experiences regarding the impact of frequent engagement with sex workers on his views and relationships.

In Jamal’s case, I observed how these encounters gradually infiltrated his understanding of relationships, encompassing more than just romantic connections. He began evaluating many interactions through a lens of cost-benefit analysis, subconsciously weighing what he could gain from any given connection. What’s truly noteworthy about Jamal’s experience is that this shift in perspective transcended his interactions with sex workers; it had, over time, subtly permeated his everyday life.

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Jamal’s situation is far from unique. It highlights the broader concern of how laws, such as the decriminalization of loitering, unintentionally shape the way Black men perceive the world around them, subsequently influencing their friendships and family dynamics. Friends and family members may also feel the impact as trust, emotional support, and unconditional love become overshadowed by the anticipation of immediate gratification and transactional value.

Moreover, the ripple effect extends to the younger generation of Black men who observe these attitudes in their role models. It can contribute to the perpetuation of transactional relationship norms, making it increasingly challenging for future generations to differentiate between authentic emotional connections and mere transactions.

The Role of Reduced Empathy in Relationships

Reduced empathy resulting from frequent engagement with sex workers can indeed have profound and complex consequences on relationships. Scholars have demonstrated that empathy plays a crucial role in motivating various prosocial behaviors such as forgiveness, volunteering, and helping, while also being negatively associated with behaviors like aggression and bullying. 

As empathy researcher and Stanford University psychologist Jamil Zaki, PhD, describes it, empathy is the “psychological ‘superglue’ that connects people and undergirds co-operation and kindness.” This illustrates how essential empathy is in creating and maintaining meaningful connections among individuals in society.

The repercussions of reduced empathy extend beyond just romantic relationships. This decline in empathetic understanding can result in misunderstandings, conflicts, and emotional distance not only in romantic partnerships but also within the realm of friendships and family dynamics. People may find it increasingly challenging to provide emotional support and to fully grasp the struggles and needs of those they care about.